The Big Thompson Flood

Abstract

The Big Thompson Flood of 1976 yielded a known death toll of 139. The temporary morgue set up was successful in personally identifying all of the bodies. This effort was made possible by the fortuitous presence of the three scientists necessary for such an operation, to wit, the forensic pathologist, a forensic odontologist, and a forensic anthropologist. An outcome of the morgue effort was the establishment of the Center for Human Identification. Many law enforcement agencies and county emergency disaster offices in the country contacted the morgue directors for advice on how to cope with similar disasters. It would appear that there are no state or federal statutes or planning in the area of body identification. One function of the Center at CSU is to advise on just how a total effort in body identification can be effected.

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